Thodupuzha: The shutters of Pambla and Kallarkuty dams will be raised further owing to heavy rains continuing to lash the catchment areas.

Pambla dam has a maximum storage capacity of 253 meters. Due to persistent heavy rains in the catchment area, water level in the dam increased to 252.6 metres on Friday. Kallarkutty dam has a maximum storage capacity of 456.6 metres. On Friday, water level in the dam rose to 452.4 metres.

As heavy rains are continuing to lash Idukki district and India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounding Red alert in the district till Saturday, Collector granted permission to open shutters of the dams.

Two shutters of Pambla dam has been raised by 30 centimetres releasing 90 cumecs (cubic meter per second) of water. Similarly, two shutters of Kallarkutty dam has been opened by 30 centimetres releasing 60 cumecs of water.

Following the release of water from the dams, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) warned people residing on the banks of Periyar river to exercise caution and follow directions issued by officials.